The most photographed castles in the UK

Words by Georgina Groom-Rietschy

Obsessed with the new season of The Celebrity Traitors? Us too. The hit BBC series returned last week, with Richard E Grant, Maya Jama and Jerry Hall among the Faithfuls and Traitors. The 2025 series averaged more than 14 million viewers per episode, and Airbnb reported a 120% increase in searches for castle stays after the show’s debut.

With spooky season underway, castles are having a moment. So, we called on our data science team to identify the UK’s most photographed castles. The Tower of London takes the top spot, thanks to its turbulent past and striking riverside setting. Edinburgh Castle and Windsor Castle also make the top ten, while Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness and Cornwall’s St Michael’s Mount inspire a UK getaway.

Curious how we calculated the photo index scores? Read the methodology at the end of the article.

1. Tower of London, Tower Hill, London

Photo index score: 100

You can’t miss the Tower of London on the north bank of the Thames, its medieval stone walls and soaring turrets forming a dramatic silhouette against the City’s skyscrapers. The Unesco-listed castle has been a royal mint, menagerie, prison and execution site where Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard died. Today it’s best known as home to the Crown Jewels, with Yeoman Warders leading tours into its darker past. Look out for Traitors’ Gate, the water entrance for prisoners accused of treason. Or book the Ceremony of the Keys, a centuries-old nightly ritual in which the Chief Yeoman Warder locks the gates by candlelight.

2. Edinburgh Castle, Old Town, Edinburgh

Photo index score: 53

The crowning landmark of the Scottish capital sits atop volcanic rock overlooking the city, its oldest surviving building dating to the 12th century. Highlights include the Great Hall, the Stone of Destiny, used to crown Scottish kings in the 13th century, and the Crown Jewels associated with Mary, Queen of Scots, who gave birth to the future James VI here in 1566. For the full Edinburgh panorama, climb to the battlements for sweeping views across the city. Time your visit for 1pm to catch the One O’Clock Gun, fired daily since 1861 to help ships on the Firth of Forth set their marine chronometers. From Grassmarket to Calton Hill, the castle’s outline is never far away.

3. Windsor Castle, Windsor, England

Photo index score: 38

Windsor Castle is the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, a royal residence for more than 1,000 years and one of the UK’s most recognisable landmarks. St George’s Chapel has hosted major royal moments, from the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. King Charles III and Queen Camilla married at Windsor Guildhall in 2005, before blessing their marriage at St George’s Chapel. Step inside the State Apartments and chapel, or catch the Changing of the Guard. For the classic shot, head to the Long Walk, whose tree-lined avenue frames the castle.

4. Warwick Castle, Warwick, England

Photo index score: 24

Warwick Castle has loomed over the River Avon for almost 1,000 years, growing from William the Conqueror’s motte-and-bailey fortress into today’s medieval stronghold. The castle was once home to the powerful Earls of Warwick, including Richard Neville, the ‘Kingmaker,’ who played a pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses. Explore the Great Hall and State Rooms, then climb the towers and ramparts for views of the castle’s defences. For the most atmospheric view, follow the river, where the castle rises above the Avon. The Cotswolds are within easy reach, making Warwick a convenient base for exploring Cirencester, Castle Combe and Bourton-on-the-Water.

5. Stirling Castle, Stirling, Scotland

Photo index score: 18

On 31 October, Halloween Hijinks brings ancient folklore, grisly crimes and mysterious characters to life across Stirling Castle. Perched on a volcanic crag above the city, the castle has crowned Scottish royalty for centuries, including Mary, Queen of Scots in 1543. Explore the Royal Palace and Great Hall, then head to the ramparts for views across the city and countryside. Less than an hour from Glasgow or Edinburgh by train, Stirling pairs medieval history with crisp Highland air. If you’re staying overnight, Edinburgh’s Hoxton makes a stylish base, with scalloped headboards, jacquard fabrics and double-height ceilings providing a slick counterpoint to a day spent exploring Scotland’s royal past.

6. Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Wales

Photo index score: 16

Cardiff Castle is an eccentric collision of medieval fortification and Victorian extravagance. At the heart of the Welsh capital, its history stretches back almost 2,000 years, from a Roman fort to the Norman stronghold raised by William the Conqueror. In the 19th century, the Marquesses of Bute turned it into a Gothic Revival mansion of gilded ceilings, intricate carvings and richly decorated rooms. Outside, the Norman keep and medieval walls offer a striking contrast to the Victorian grandeur. For the best photographs, seek out the Clock Tower and Animal Wall, then climb the keep for a different perspective across the city.

7. Tintagel Castle, Tintagel, Cornwall

Photo index score: 13

Where Arthurian legend meets the Atlantic, Tintagel makes for an epic photograph. The castle rests on the jagged headland of Cornwall’s north coast, its ruins spanning mainland and island, connected by a footbridge above the sea. The site’s Arthurian mythology dates to the 12th century, when Geoffrey of Monmouth named Tintagel the place where King Arthur was conceived. That legendary status, combined with its exposed coastal location, has given the castle cinematic appeal, with Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword using the clifftop ruins as a mystical backdrop. For the defining image, cross the footbridge to the island, where sea-battered ruins, sheer cliffs and Atlantic horizons create an arresting frame.

8. St Michael’s Mount, Marazion, Cornwall

Photo index score: 11

Just off Marazion, this tidal island connects to the mainland by a cobbled causeway that vanishes beneath the water at high tide. This ever-changing setting makes the castle a compelling subject – no two photographs are quite the same. The island has drawn pilgrims for centuries, with a 12th-century Benedictine priory here, a sister site to Mont-Saint-Michel. Later fortified as a military stronghold, the Mount has been home to the St Aubyn family since 1659 and is now cared for by the National Trust. For the postcard view, photograph it from Marazion beach, where castle, causeway and sea meet in one quintessentially Cornish frame. Ferries run between island and mainland, so crossing is easy even if you miss low tide.

9. Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Scotland

Photo index score: 10

Few castles make a more instantly recognisable picture than Eilean Donan. Set on a tidal island where Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh meet, its walls and turrets rise from the water against a backdrop of Highland peaks, linked to the mainland by a stone footbridge. Its cinematic looks have earned it film roles, from Highlander to the Bond film The World Is Not Enough. For one of Scotland’s most photogenic castle views, head to Dornie Bridge, where calm water can produce striking reflections of the castle and mountains. Come early for crowd-free shots, when low light catches the mist rolling across the water.

10. Urquhart Castle, Dumnadrochit, Scotland

Photo index score: 10

The crumbling remains of Urquhart Castle command a dramatic stretch of Loch Ness. Built on a rocky promontory on the loch’s western shore, the ruins fall towards the water, with Grant Tower rising above the Great Glen and mountains stretching into the distance. Follow the shoreline to the old water gate, where the ruined walls open onto the loch. A boat trip reveals the castle from the water, offering a different perspective on its remarkable setting. While Nessie sightings remain legend, the castle’s brooding setting needs no monster to make it memorable.

Methodology

To determine the most photographed castles in the UK, Popsa’s data science team analysed anonymised, aggregated metadata from millions of photos across 2024 and 2025. Comparing activity across locations revealed the most photographed castles.

Each castle then received an index score from 0 to 100, the top scorer at 100 and the rest scaled relative to it. The result reflects real behaviour: not just where people visited, but where they were most moved to capture their memories.